More than 170 attendees sent out that message during a rally organized by North Shore City Councilwoman Debi Rose and the Campaign for Children.

“We are here today to say to the mayor emphatically that we will not, we will not allow our after-school programs and day care programs to be lost!” said Ms. Rose.

At issue are the $130 million in cuts zeroed in on child care services and after-school programming citywide. The cuts would affect close to 50,000 children citywide.

On the Island, Ms. Rose said the cuts would eliminate 200 day care slots, 411 early-learning slots, 1,782 Out-of-School Time programs, would close seven beacon centers, close cornerstone programs within the New York City Housing Authority and programs at the Gerard Carter Community Center.

Students let their voices be heard in unison with their parents and child advocates, with shouts of “Do not cut our programs!” and “Tell Bloomberg no way!” Children held signs reading: “Please save our Y-Afterschool Programs” and “We love our after-school program.” Tottenville students held signs that read: “Without Beacon, we weaken!”

One of those students speaking up for the JCC’s 

CUTS, PAGE A 15 Tottenville Beacon was Eema Manzoor. Speaking of herself in the third person, Ms. Manzoor, 14, who is on the Center’s Youth Council, talked about how the center turned her from a shy girl to a socially assertive and independent young woman.

“Little by little, her world changed: A girl who was once a wallflower started becoming more confident. She realized she had a voice, so why not use it?”

As part of the council Miss Manzoor spoke out about topics such as bullying, suicide prevention and autism awareness and raised funds for causes important to her. She said that without these programs, many other young people might be kept from developing into their best selves.

“We are here fighting for you and we want the mayor to know that we care about our children,” David Sorkin, executive director of the JCC, told the students. “We want to make sure our children have the programs they need.”

“Parents need to work, parents need to go to school, parents need preventive services,” said Nellie Suarez with the Seamen’s Society Family Child Care Network, who said her program not only would lose 220 children’s slots but 25 adults who care for children would be unemployed.

Ms. Rose said these programs don’t simply teach basketball or provide baby-sitting services, they furnish key academic learning, mentoring and guidance that put children on an early path to success.

The proposed funding cuts would affect many low-income and working-class families who would lose access to low-cost, quality child care and after-school services for their children, she added.---Follow @siadvance on Twitter and Facebook